NOVEMBER 2021 RETAILOBSERVER.COM
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verall attendance at the summer market –
held one month later than usual – exceeded
attendance over the market's April edition
and represented about 60% of summer pre-
pandemic attendance.
"Las Vegas Market has continued its positive
recovery trajectory despite recent setbacks in the
nation's response to the pandemic," said Bob
Maricich, International Market Center (IMC) CEO.
"This week again proved that Las Vegas Market is
the preferred Western location for discerning buyers
and brands to come together to get business done."
In addition to its core West Coast audience, Las
Vegas Market attracted a nation-wide audience
with buyers from all 50 states, with notable
increases from the Northeast (32%), Southeast
(19%), Southwest (10%) and TOLA (Texas,
Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas; 11%) regions.
International traffic is rebounding well with a 60%
growth over April 2021 and buyers from 42
countries. Gift category attendance was especially
strong, with an 11% growth over April attendance.
BUYERS GLAD TO BE BACK TO MARKET
Product discovery and the in-person market
experience were key motivators for buyers at the
summer 2021 Las Vegas Market, many of whom
were returning to the market for the first time since
Winter 2020.
"There is no substitute for shopping market live,"
said Dirk Lorenz, owner of Fremont Flowers in
Fremont, CA. "Using all my senses when shopping
makes for a much better experience after a year-
plus of doing so much via Zoom and using websites
to source products."
"The Las Vegas Market is important because
in-person touching, feeling and seeing products is
imperative," added Mike Norris, buyer for Gallery
Furniture in Houston, TX.
Buyers also were excited for the full Las Vegas
experience. "I love Vegas, I think it's fun," said Trish
Mitchell, executive director of 4RKids in Enid, OK.
SUMMER '21
LAS VEGAS
MARKET
BIG ORDERS FOR NOW AND FUTURE AT
A D E M A N D F O R F R E S H , N E W P R O D U CT D R OV E R E TA I LE R S A N D D E S I G N E R S
F R O M T H E W E ST E R N U N I T E D STAT E S A N D B E YO N D TO T H E AU G U ST
2 2 - 2 6 L AS V E G AS M A R K E T, W I T H E X H I B I TO R S R E P O R T I N G H E A LT H Y
O R D E R W R I T I N G F O R I M M E D I AT E N E E D S A N D F U T U R E P L A N N I N G .
